Alisande Jaiserrisingh representing Guyana at FIBA Adelante Forum in Chile

Alisande Jaiserrisingh, Coach of Queen’s College’s basketball team, is currently representing the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) at the prestigious FIBA Americas Adelante Forum, held alongside the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2025 in Santiago, Chile.

According to the GBF, the 19-year-old’s participation signals another bold step in its mission to elevate female representation and leadership in the sport.

Running from July 2-5, the in-person gathering builds on two earlier virtual sessions and centers on analysing data-driven strategies to overcome persistent barriers to women’s basketball in the Americas.

Adelante 3.0, the latest edition of FIBA’s female empowerment initiative, aims to prepare women for leadership roles within basketball federations through mentorship, education and real-world projects.

This year’s forum theme focuses on expanding lifelong participation in girls’ and women’s basketball, a crucial objective for growing the sport’s global footprint.

Research highlights that fans of women’s basketball often have playing experience themselves, and the sport’s rising popularity hinges on more consistent investment and media exposure.

“To convince stakeholders, we need a stronger pipeline,” said FIBA Americas Vice-President Patrick Haynes.

Haynes, who also serves as General Secretary of the GBF, added: “More players mean larger audiences, better talent pools for national teams and sustainable growth.”

Meanwhile, Michael Singh, president of the GBF, added that Jaiserrisingh insights will be invaluable “as we work to break down barriers and create more opportunities for women in basketball. This isn’t just about the present, it’s about building a legacy for future generations.”

Jaiserrisingh, who is also the assistant coach for the Panthers Basketball Club, joins delegates from across the region to analyse player feedback and develop actionable strategies tailored to each country’s needs.

The GBF noted, that insights gathered will support their efforts to boost recruitment, retention and professional opportunities for female athletes.

Guyana’s involvement in the Adelante programme is part of a broader push for gender equity, with the GBF pointing out that former participants Sileena Arjune and Shauna Chester laid the groundwork for current initiatives, and Jaiserrisingh’s contribution continues to build on that legacy.

About Alisande Jaiserrisingh

Alisande Jaiserrisingh is an exceptional young leader whose accomplishments span academics, the arts and sport.

As a student of Queen’s College, she was recognised as Guyana’s Top Principles of Business Student and ranked among the Top 10 in the Caribbean, earning the Private Sector Commission Prize for Most Outstanding Business Student.

A recipient of the Queen’s College Medal and School Colours Awards, she was also honoured as the British High Commissioner for the Day in 2023 and won the GEITI Essay Competition.

Alisande is a published poet, with her piece “Where is the Justice?” featured in a Caribbean anthology.

In basketball, she has twice captained Guyana’s Under-17 Female National Team and now plays for the Demerara Panthers Female Club.

A dedicated youth coach, she mentors teams at Queen’s College and the School of the Nations across multiple categories, earning the YBG-NSBF 2024 Coach Award.